Originally Posted by
Moose
I figure by 2025 battery cost and power density will make an EV conversion of my Micra practical. Many more formerly gas cars will get the conversion treatment.
I think the growing used market of factory built EV's will be the nail in the coffin for conversion kits, not counting intentionally "unique" vehicles like the original Beetle, etc.
We're arleady starting to see used, low miles OEM EV's like the Leaf, iMiev and Smart for LESS than the cost of just those conversion kits. And the factory car comes pre-assembled, and the car is included.
A used Leaf is less than a new Micra
A LOT less than a new Micra. Although, I'm more familiar with US prices, where it's not unusual to see them from $6-9k.
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I've driven a few EV's (owned 1 conversion) and a bunch of hybrids (owned 2), and I really like the driving experience, because I'm a nerd.
I just drove a friend's Chevrolet Bolt a few weeks back, and I think it's probably the quickest car I've ever driven. You can hear the drive wheels starting to spin when you step on the "gas" even at 40 or 50 km/h.
Unfortunately, a pure EV doesn't really work for me. I mostly bike for local trips, so my car is almost exclusively a highway machine. In winter weather, even a Bolt wouldn't comfortably cover my regular trips to go snowboarding for example.
Also, I don't really drive a lot, and it's not good for batteries to sit for extended periods, unused. They self-discharge. And it's not an efficient use of energy to keep them permanently on trickle charge.
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View my fuel log 2015 Micra S manual: 5.0 L/100 km ... 56.5 mpg (Imp) ... 20.0 km/L ... 47.0 mpg (US) ...